We already know that there will be “powerful” new cycle of dual lands in 11th Edition that will be appealing to “risk-averse” players. These have also been described as “awesome.” Specifically, these lands will not require the loss of life. Since this is a new cycle of dual lands, I take it that they will not be reprints of any of the Future Sight duals. (more…)

I decided before that a 5 power themed Naya deck wasn’t the best idea and I continue to hold that belief. Conflux did make some 5 power themed cards, but these cards are still too risky in constructed. Instead, Naya’s strength is its overly powerful cards, such as Wild Nacatl and Wooly Thoctar. Conflux’s greatest additions to Naya are actually not for Naya decks: Noble Hierarch and Path to Exile. Cliffrunner Behemoth is the only Conflux card that can be impressive and was made specifically for Naya decks. Here is my current idea for a Naya deck: (more…)

Conflux has almost nothing worth mentioning with devour. Jund (red-black-green) did get Scarland Thrinax and Bloodhall Ooze but I’m not sure if they are good enough for a Devour deck. However, since unearth is so great in a devour deck, there are some new cards worth putting in a Jund deck. In particular, Hellspark Elemental and Shambling Remains. Here is my current idea for a devour deck: (more…)

Conflux has given Unearth decks a huge boost with Hellspark Elemental and Shambling Remains. Additionally, Ravenous Rats, Grixis Slavedriver, and Extractor demon could also be useful. Here is my current idea for an Unearth deck: (more…)

Now that Conflux has arrived, Exalted (Bant) decks will be different. In particular, Path to Exile and Noble Hierarch should be included. Right now Bant is a fairly competitive deck in Standard (type 2) using Wilt-Leaf Liege and Kitchen Finks. These are the most important cards that can’t be included for Shards of Alara Block. Here is my current idea for a bant deck: (more…)

On February 14th I played in a cash prize tournament at Superstars and I won $200. There were six rounds and I won the first four. Then I just had to wait to play in the top 8, so I had two “intentional draws.” Then I won the first match of the top 8, and the top four players all split the prizes at the end. I technically won the tournament due to tiebreakers, but I didn’t play it out. (more…)

This week is Block Constructed week. Each day I will present a new idea for a Shards of Alara block constructed deck.

Now that Conflux has come out, the time has come to figure out what the best with the help of Conflux, it is pretty safe to say that 5 color might be one of the best decks. In particular, I think 5 color control will be a good idea: Play lots of removal (Bant charm, Path to Exile, and Volcanic Fallout) and some finishers: Banefire, Martial Coup, Broodmate Dragon, and Cruel Ultimatum. Here is the deck list that I came up with: (more…)

The journey through time continues as I predict future cards and reprints. The power 9 might be on the “reserved list,” but Wizards of the Coast won’t let that stop them. If you thought that the power 9 is “too powerful” then you have got to read this article. (more…)

For around 10 years Kird Ape was considered “too powerful” because it could be a 2/3 for one mana. Now we have Wild Nacatl that can be a 3/3 for one mana. We thought Swords to Plowshares was too powerful, but now we have Path to Exile. Using the powers of inductive reasoning I will predict how Magic will evolve for the next 60 years: (more…)

Conflux has the same five themes that were in Shards of Alara, but they are now “side themes.” They are much less important. Additionally, there is one more side theme: 5 color decks, which include the most exciting and important cards in the set. The following are the best cards for 5 color decks: (more…)

Since Alara Reborn is probably going to celebrate five color decks, it is possible that Wizards is already done with Triple Lands (for now). What else can be done to help you get domain? Five color lands with all five basic land types. I thought of two lands that have all five land types: (more…)

I just found out that there is a rule of paypal that you have to send every item in a separate package for every payment. A lot of buyers win several items and pay for them one at a time, and the seller is supposed to send each item in a separate package. This is an outrage for at least three reasons: (more…)

As usual, Esper (blue-white-black) does not play well with others. It requires an artifact theme to function, and it is the only shard that provides us with a source of artifacts. The following are the best cards in Conflux for Esper: (more…)

The best thing about Grixis is the fact that it can make use of many cards in Jund that have the same exact theme (sacrificing creatures.) The second best thing about Grixis is the fact that Dark Temper is better in Grixis than in any other deck. (more…)